Israeli authorities announced Wednesday that they had arrested 12 Palestinians in East Jerusalem for celebrating the release of prisoners over the weekend under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. The arrests were made late Tuesday following the circulation of videos earlier in the week, showing the men waving Hamas flags and firing guns into the air in celebration.
Newsweek has reached out to the Jerusalem Municipality for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The arrests highlight the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinians, especially in light of the ceasefire that ended a major conflict. Israeli authorities have been enforcing a ban on "expressions of joy" and any form of support for Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, as part of the broader ceasefire agreement. The incident underscores the highly charged political and cultural divisions over the prisoner swap and its significance to both Palestinians and Israelis.
What To Know
Israeli police and the Shin Bet internal security service stated that the 12 arrested Palestinians had violated restrictions set by Israel, which prohibit celebrations or identification with Hamas. According to Israeli authorities, the search of the suspects revealed Hamas flags, posters, fireworks, a BB gun, and cash, which they claim are evidence of support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union.
Context of the Ceasefire Deal
The arrests occurred under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Under this phase, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people, resulted in around 250 hostages being captured, and started the ongoing conflict. Of the 33 named hostages set to be returned to Israel, Hamas have stated eight are already dead.
So far, seven hostages have been released in two exchanges during the first phase of the present ceasefire agreement, bringing the total number of released hostages to 124.
In return, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, some of whom are serving life sentences for deadly attacks since Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities.
Symbolism of Prisoners
For Palestinians, the release of prisoners is seen as a symbol of resistance against Israel's occupation, and those detained are often considered freedom fighters. On the other hand, Israel sees many of the released prisoners as individuals responsible for heinous acts of violence.
What People Are Saying
Israeli Police: "In footage distributed online, the suspects were seen participating in a demonstration of support that included expressions of joy while waving Hamas flags and firing weapons in the air." According to the JNS.
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Arieh King had called on police to take action against the demonstrators.
Hamas' militant wing Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida said on Friday that the group "decided to release female hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Neama Levy, and Liri Albag on January 25."
What Happens Next
The arrests and the ongoing monitoring of celebrations or expressions of solidarity with Hamas are likely to continue. As tensions persist, the broader peace process and the fate of future prisoner swaps remain uncertain, with both sides maintaining deeply entrenched positions on the issue.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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About the writer
Amir Daftari is a Newsweek reporter based in London, specializing in global affairs with a focus on the Middle East. ... Read more